Promoting sports as a way of life in its areas of operation, the first Inter-Panchayat Football Tournament by Tata Steel at Sports Complex, Noamundi kicked- off in great style. Mr Manish Mishra, General Manager, Ore Mines & Quarries (OMQ) Division, Tata Steel graced the occasion as Chief Guest along with Mr Sourav Roy, Chief, Corporate Social Responsibility, Tata Steel.

A total of 13 Panchayats from Noamundi and Joda blocks in West Singhbhum district of Jharkhand and Keonjhar district of Odisha will contest for the maiden Inter-Panchayat Football Tournament title. The Panchayats ,namely, Noamundi, Bhangaon, Diriburu, Kotgarh, Deojhar, Khasmahudi, Dukasai, Toretopa, Ansaikela, Silajoda, Kadajamda, Dudhbila and Pokhari are participating in the tournament.  A total of 22 matches will be played, the finals of which will be played on August 29, 2018. All qualifying matches will be played for a duration of 50 minutes and the final match will be played for a duration of 60 minutes.  Everyday 3 matches will be played in the qualifying round from 2:00 PM onwards.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Mishra said: " Sports acts as an excellent platform that binds everyone together. This initiative provides yet another opportunity to bring local communities together, thereby, having a larger social and cultural impact. "

The opening match played between Diriburu and Kotgarh was won by Diriburu, the second match played between Deojhar and Khasmahudi ended in a draw. The third and the final match played for the day between Dukasai and Pokhapi was won by Dukasai with ease scoring 6 goals through Pokharpi's defence.  The football tournament marks the beginning of the week-long celebration of Sir Dorab Tata’s Birth Anniversary, who contributed immensely in upbringing the Indian sporting talent to the global front.

Present on the occasion were Mr Surendra Chatomba, MANKI, Kotgarh PIR(West), Mr Ghasua Barjo, Munda, Dukasai, Ms Rebati Purti, Mukhiya, Kadajamda Panchayat, Ms Mukta Jerai, Mukhiya, Bhangaon, Panchayat, Ms Putul Purty, Mukhiya, Bhalijhor Panchayat, Ms Yashomati Tiriya, Mukhiya, Kotgarh Panchayat, Ms Rani Tiriya, Mukhiya, Dudhbila Panchayat, Mr Raj Barjo, Mukhiya, Mahudi Panchayat, Mr Narayan Chatomba, Munda, Dudhbila village, Mr Dussa Laguri, Munda, Sarbil village, Mr Ramjivan Behra, Munda Bhangaon, Mr Hemant Kumar Mahatoh, Munda, Silajoda village and Mr Sibo Munda, Ward Member, Sialjoda village, Deojhar Panchayat along with senior Tata Steel officials.

About Tata Steel                  
Tata Steel Group is among the top global steel companies with an annual crude steel capacity of 27 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) as on March 31, 2018. It is the one of world's most geographically-diversified steel producers, with operations in 26 countries and a commercial presence in over 50 countries. The Group recorded a consolidated turnover of US $20.41 billion (INR 133,016 crore) in FY18. Tata Steel Group is spread across five continents with an employee base of nearly 74,000. Tata Steel retained Industry Leader position in FY18 and ranked second overall in the DJSI assessment, 2017. The Company has been recognised as the Climate Disclosure Leader in ‘Steel category’ by CDP (2017). Besides being a member of the World Steel Climate Action Programme, Tata Steel was felicitated with several awards including the Prime Minister’s Trophy for the best performing integrated steel plant for 2014-15 and 2015-16, Best Risk Management by CNBC TV18 (2018) and ‘Corporate Strategy Award’ by Mint (2018). The Company also received the ‘Most Ethical Company’ award from Ethisphere Institute for the sixth time (2018), Steel Sustainability Champions (2017) by the World Steel Association, Dun & Bradstreet Corporate Awards (2017 & 2018), Golden Peacock HR Excellence Award by Institute of Directors (2017) as well as 'Asia's Best Integrated Report' award by the Asia Sustainability Reporting Awards (2017), among several others.

Disclaimer
Statements in this press release describing the Company’s performance may be “forward looking statements” within the meaning of applicable securities laws and regulations. Actual results may differ materially from those directly or indirectly expressed, inferred or implied. Important factors that could make a difference to the Company’s operations include, among others, economic conditions affecting demand/ supply and price conditions in the domestic and overseas markets in which the Company operates, changes in or due to the environment, Government regulations, laws, statutes, judicial pronouncements and/ or other incidental factors.